Alcohol is usually present at special events: toast with champagne at a wedding. A glass of wine for a birthday dinner. Even mimosa at lunch.
But you don’t need a drink to have fun. And there are many reasons why you may not drink.
Maybe you are pregnant or need to stay sober for other health reasons. Or you are the chosen driver. Or you just don’t like how alcohol makes you feel.
So, if you want to stay sober but still join the fun, ask yourself this question: What do I want to get out of the holiday?
Chances are, it’s not really about alcohol.
“It’s probably the social connection, the community, the respect it can bring,” said Dr. Eric Bison, a clinical associate professor at the Family Institute at Northwestern University in Illinois. Does alcohol improve this? Probably not. “
No matter why you abstain, here are some ways to celebrate without alcohol.
Make my cocktail
“Sober bars are popping up all over the United States,” says Bison. These places offer full menus for non-alcoholic drinks. This makes it quite easy to celebrate in a bar without alcohol.
Or you can take something without alcohol on the way to a party or event. You may be surprised by all the options.
Mocktails are an easy choice “for people who want to be ‘sober curious’ or who want to reduce drinking,” says Dr. Melissa Ciders, a professor of psychology at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis (IUPUI). “The key is, it has to be something you like to drink.”
You can go for soda or virgin dakiri. But why not spice things up with something unique?
Bison likes to challenge bartenders to make the most creative soft drink they can think of.
“When they say things like, ‘What’s your taste profile?’ “Then I know it’s a place I can dig and celebrate with my friends,” he said.
Use high quality ingredients. This is usually not a pre-made sugar thing, notes Cyders.
Or completely lose the tape
Everybody is different. This makes it difficult for experts to determine the “best” thing to do. But try something where you need to use your hands, like cycling or tennis.
Board games are another good choice. “Something in which you don’t just stand around and talk, you do activities,” says Ciders.
Or choose something you shouldn’t (or shouldn’t) do while drinking.
For example, Bison says he went rafting for a bachelor party. “It’s probably best to stay sober when traveling on a river that can kill you.”
If you are responsible for a group celebration, be creative.
You can organize massages or “maybe something more competitive, like paintball or golf,” says Dr. Joseph Volpicelli, an addiction specialist and founder of the Volpicelli Center.
Here are some more ideas:
- Jump into an indoor trampoline park.
- Go to the rock climbing gym.
- Try skydiving indoors.
- Go on a hike that ends with stargazing.
Get into the experience
People often get more lasting satisfaction from doing things instead of buying things, says happiness researcher Dr. Sonia Lubomirski, a prominent professor and vice president of psychology at the University of California, Riverside.
Most celebrations – with or without alcohol – are already experiences, says Lubomirski. “You can go out to dinner or a party, travel or go to a spa with friends.”
Here are some of her other tips on how to celebrate while improving your well-being:
- Spend time with others. Choose an activity that will help you strengthen your relationship. “Everything you can do to connect with other people,” says Lubomirski.
- Take the challenge. Do something that will help you grow as a person. Or just try something new and exciting. “Go learn to parachute,” she says.
- Pass it on. This may not be something you usually think of when it comes to a holiday. But we tend to feel good about ourselves when we give to society or do an “act of kindness,” so if you’re communicating, reach out to someone who may not feel involved. Or buy them a soft drink.
Go outside
You may feel relaxed when you drink alcohol. But many studies show that spending time in nature can relieve stress. An outdoor holiday can also strengthen your social ties.
Here are some ideas:
- Meet your friends in the park.
- Take a group trip to a scenic view.
- Make mock-ups for backyard gatherings.
Bonus points if you choose something that makes you and your friends move. Research supports what you already know from experience: Outdoor activity can strengthen your mind and body.
Pamper yourself with something sweet
Although you do not want to make sugar your only reward, it is good to pamper yourself on a special occasion.
Look for a new place for dessert in your area. Or visit an old pet.
You can also:
- Toast a new job with milkshakes.
- Celebrate your birthday with the Sundae ice cream bar.
- Pair fruits with a chocolate fountain at your wedding.
- Enjoy dinner after dinner if there is a fireplace nearby.
Bring a sober friend
It can be difficult to celebrate without alcohol if everyone around you drinks. So arrange support if you think this would help.
“If you’re going out in an environment and you plan not to drink tonight, tell a friend who can bring you this soft drink or help you choose an activity that is incompatible with drinking,” says Ciders.